You Could Purchase Almost Two New GTDs for the Cost of This Classic Mustang | Carscoops

You Could Purchase Almost Two New GTDs for the Cost of This Classic Mustang | Carscoops

      A rare 1970 muscle car recently amazed auction observers by fetching a price well above its estimated value, despite never having participated in a competitive race.

      On May 31, 2025, a unique 1970 Ford Mustang sold for $627,000 at auction.

      Only 499 Boss 429 models were produced in 1970, with just 13 featuring this car's specific color combination.

      Ford developed the Boss's 7-liter hemi-head V8 engine to compete against Chrysler in Nascar.

      From the BMW E30 M3 to the Plymouth Superbird, everyone has their favorite homologation cars, built to enable manufacturers to participate in racing. The Ford Mustang Boss 429 stands out as one of the most valuable of these vehicles, and one of the more unique, since Ford never actually raced it, nor did they plan to.

      The tale begins in the late 1960s when Ford found itself in intense competition with Chrysler for dominance in Nascar. Chrysler's infamous 426 hemi engine provided it with a competitive advantage, prompting Ford to create its own hemi. However, to comply with Nascar regulations, they needed to offer the engine in a production vehicle.

      The rules did not dictate which model would receive the new engine, so instead of installing the 429 cubic inch (7.0-liter) V8 in showroom versions of the fastback Fairlane Torinos used in racing, Ford decided to cram it into the newly designed 1969 Mustang, a task that proved challenging due to the engine's size which made it difficult to fit in the Mustang's engine bay.

      Ford assigned this task to Kar Kraft, who then widened the engine bay, relocated the shock towers, and shifted the battery to the trunk in order to manage the weight distribution issues caused by the heavy engine, which, despite its aluminum cylinder heads, still affected balance. The 429 was conservatively rated at 375 hp (380 PS) using the old gross power measurement, falling short of the 425 hp (431 PS) claimed by Chrysler for its Hemi, although both engines were rumored to produce around 500 hp (507 PS).

      Besides the large hood scoop, Boss 429 models appeared fairly understated, with only subtle fender graphics hinting at their power. However, the striking Calypso Coral paint on this recently auctioned car certainly makes it stand out. Ford produced just under 860 429s for 1969 and 499 for 1970, which featured a pair of vents instead of the outer headlights. Only 13 buyers opted for the combination of Calypso Coral and a factory white interior.

      All this rarity and unique history contributes to significant collector interest. This explains why someone willingly paid an astonishing $627,000 for this vehicle, significantly exceeding the $386,000 valuation set by Hagerty for a concours-standard version — enough to purchase an exceptional first-generation Ford GT or nearly two brand new $325,000 Mustang GTD homologation models.

      While the 1969-70 Boss 429 was created simply to homologate its engine, there was another model called the Boss 302 available during the same period that was a complete homologation model. The Boss 302 featured a special high-revving small-capacity V8 built to meet the Trans Am series' 305 cubic inch (5.0-liter) limit, which helped Ford outscore Chevrolet and its Camaro Z28 to clinch the Championship in 1970. However, even a top condition Boss 302 would only cost about $200,000, roughly a third of the amount paid for this 429.

You Could Purchase Almost Two New GTDs for the Cost of This Classic Mustang | Carscoops

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You Could Purchase Almost Two New GTDs for the Cost of This Classic Mustang | Carscoops

A rare 1970 muscle car has amazed auction observers by selling for much more than its estimated value, even though it has never raced a single competitive lap.